Seattle Wins National Award for Puget SoundOff Youth Web Project

The City of Seattle has won an award from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for best web and e-government services for the youth online civic engagement project, PugetSoundOff.org.

This award recognizes the unique opportunity we're providing for online youth expression and civic engagement and the partnership between the City, Metrocenter YMCA, University of Washington Center for Communications and Civic Engagement, One Economy and others. Puget SoundOff provides area teens with a community networking and online engagement site, together with on the ground training in media literacy, cause related journalism and content development. Seattle youth organizations, including teams at Youth Media Institute, Rainier Vista Neighborhood House and Horn of Africa Services have led the use of the site developing online groups and posting video, blogs, photos and more. Thanks to the Mayors Youth Council and the City's Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board for their help developing the project. The site also features Flash-based curriculum on web 2.0 and civic engagement as well as tips for online safety.

Visit PTI for more information on the PTI competition and Puget SoundOff to see an array of blogs, video and images on what youth are "sounding off" about today! Puget SoundOff is currently running a contest calling on young people to design their own law. The contest runs through June .

2009 Pacific Northwest Digital Inclusion Summit

The first Pacific Northwest Digital Inclusion Summit was a great success! Thanks to One Economy the Communities Connect Network and presenters and participants. Link to Presentations

Mayor Greg Nickels proclaimed January 28, 2009 to be
Digital Inclusion Day and announces new Bring IT Home partnership. Read the proclamation and Press Release

Rules of Public Computer Use
Now available in 14 languages

The City of Seattle developed a set of rules for public computer use. We provide public access to computers in order to ensure that all residents have access to government services and other essential resources, to encourage civic participation and to increase technology literacy. Search for public computing locations with the Techmap Directory (www.seattle.gov/tech/techmap).

Sound Off for Action!

Pugetsoundoff.org (PSO) is designed by teens for teens to sound off and express what's hot and what's not. Featuring blogs, events, polls and more. (This video was produced by University of Washington CCCE students in collaboration with Puget Sound Youth Council members and the Seattle Channel). Pugetsoundoff.org is sponsored by the Metrocenter YMCA, City of Seattle, and the University of Washington Center for Communications and Civic Engagement (CCCE) with contest support from the Seattle Times Newspapers in Education Program.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels spoke about the city's efforts and the importance of information technology skills for workers at all levels in a panel discussion hosted by Microsoft at the U.S. Conference of Mayors conference in Miami. See more in the June 20th Miami Herald article.

On March 12th, the Washington Legislature completed passage of Bill 6438 and the state budget. The bill provides for two complementary programs, including the first state grant program for community technology!

The new legislation establishes: 1) a planning process for broadband development and mapping; and 2) the state’s first Community Technology Opportunity Program. With strong legislative support, $500,000 has been allocated for the new program, which will provide grants and capacity building assistance. There will be well over 100 organizations in Seattle likely eligible for this program and hundreds more across the state.

The broadband portion of the bill calls for local planning teams with local government, business, education and non-profit community organization participation. The bill also requires the state to publish a web directory of community tech programs, similar to the city’s local directory.

The City of Seattle’s Community Tech team, along with representatives from local programs, including the STAR Center, NPowerSeattle, Metrocenter YMCA, were instrumental in getting this passed by working with the state Communities Connect Network to share their successes and needs. Seattle Representative Zack Hudgins led the effort towards passage of the final bill. Rep. Claudia Kauffman sponsored the community tech bill. Sen. Kohl-Welles sponsored the initial broadband legislation. Rep. John McCoy was also instrumental in passage of the bill.

The directory makes it easy to find appropriate programs and services. It lists more than 160 sites in Seattle, King County and surrounding areas that offer access and training. Centers are organized by geographic area and contain information about programs, facilities, community served and availability.

You can find sites by location or use the search page to look for specific training, languages or programs. If you know of a program not listed here or have updates, let us know.

Seattle Free Wifi Pilot Project

The City of Seattle provides free public wireless Internet service in Columbia City and the University District as well as four downtown parks (Occidental, Freeway, Steinbrueck and Westlake) as a pilot project. Free wifi is also provided at Seattle Public libraries and the Seattle Center Center House. Learn more about our Seattle Wi-Fi project. If you have questions or problems with service, you can email communitytechnology@seattle.gov or leave a message on our WiFi infoline at 684-8070.

Seniors and Youth Present Community Perspective

See the results of a Technology Matching Fund Electronic Civic Engagement project, which brought together limited English speaking elders and youth in the International District to use pda's, community mapping, and photojournalism as tools to raise voices and foster discussion about the current status and future development needs of the neighborhood. Developed by the Internal District Housing Alliance (IDHA) WILD program in partnership with Sustainable Seattle and Photovoice.

See an eleven minute overview of the project or the video presentation to City Council
See presentation slides

Visit our Free Access to Computers and the Internet page for locations & hours of public access sites near you.

See our Home Computer and Internet Security Brochure (PDF)

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We share information and obtain resources from others in the community technology field. These include the Washington State Communities Connect Network and the national CTCNet, Community Technology Center Network.